Assad: Israel undermines regional peace and security

Published May 13th, 2010 - 14:29 GMT

Syria's President Bashar al-Assad on Thursday accused Israel of undermining security and stability in the Middle East

Syria's President Bashar al-Assad on Thursday accused Israel of undermining security and stability in the Middle East, during his talks with Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos. "Israel's policies of rejecting peace and continuing to threaten war is likely to undermine peace and security in the region," the official SANA news agency quoted the Syrian leader as saying.

The report added that during their meeting, Assad reiterated Damascus' commitment to peace "to restore its rights." He urged the European Union, of which Spain currently holds the chair, to "support Turkish mediation."

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Assad also asked that the European Union "exert pressure on Israel to halt its practices in the occupied Palestinian territories, especially in east Jerusalem, and lift the embargo on the Gaza Strip."